Application Server Pushing Social Content to Wireless Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless devices connecting to Wi-Fi hotspots often lack the ability to display welcome pages due to unsupported browser redirection and lack of updated messages, especially in newer hotspots that do not use web browsers for authentication.
Innovation Solution
An application server associated with a cellular phone manufacturer receives a Wi-Fi hotspot's SSID, looks up associated social networking accounts, retrieves and parses social networking content, and composes messages to be sent directly to the wireless device, enabling welcome messages and updates without requiring hotspot provider cooperation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If browser redirection technique is used to present a welcome page, then the hotspot provider can display marketing messages, but newer hotspots that do not use web browsers for authentication cannot display welcome pages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of an application server and message generator that acts as a mediator between the hotspot infrastructure and the wireless device. This intermediary retrieves messages from social networking accounts and pushes them directly to devices, bypassing the need for browser-based authentication while ensuring reliable message delivery through alternative communication channels.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying on the hotspot to redirect browsers to display welcome pages, the patent inverts the approach by having the application server directly push messages to wireless devices. This reversal eliminates the dependency on browser redirection and authentication methods, allowing messages to be delivered regardless of how the device connected to the hotspot.
2Loss of information
If welcome pages are displayed only immediately after user connection, then the marketing opportunity is brief, but no updated messages can be pushed to users during the hotspot session
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous message delivery by establishing a persistent communication channel between the application server and the wireless device. Messages are not limited to a single initial display but can be continuously pushed and updated throughout the entire hotspot session, maintaining continuous useful action for message delivery rather than a single brief opportunity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the application server can receive updates from social networking accounts and push new messages to devices in real-time. This feedback loop enables dynamic message updates during the session based on changing information from the social networking source.
3Loss of information
If social networking content is retrieved and parsed to compose messages, then updated messages can be pushed during the session, but additional processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the application server retrieve and parse social networking content in advance before the user needs the information. Messages are pre-composed and ready for immediate pushing when the device connects or during the session, eliminating the need for real-time processing and reducing complexity during critical delivery moments.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and apparatus for generating a message (1012) for a wireless device (102) are disclosed. In an embodiment, an application server (106), or any other suitable device or system, receives (802, 902) a wireless network identifier associated with an access point (202) communicatively coupled to the wireless device (102). The application server (106) determines (804, 904) a social networking account associated with the network identifier. The application server (106) then retrieves (806, 906) content from a network (110) based on the social networking account and generates (808, 908) the message (1012) for the wireless device (102) based on the content.